Jordy Smith on his round one judo air, "There were some really amazing ramps out there if you could find them. It’s just the landings that are challenging." Photo: Bielmann/SPL

From the spectators area to the wave itself, the Billabong Pro Tahiti is unlike any event on the World Tour. Photo: Bielmann/SPL

With Jadson Andre out of the event, the prestigious Rookie Of The Year Award is Owen Wright's for the overtaking. Photo: Bielmann/SPL

Not everyone was impressed with day 1 of the Billabong Pro Tahiti... the girl on "Cote's Cube" took a nap and Teahupo‘o local Adam "Biff" D'Esposito looks plain pissed that he's not in the event. Photo: Bielmann/SPL

Tahiti's own Michel Bourez had a shocker in the contest last year but avoided one this year with a solid win over Dean Morrison and Mick Campbell. Photo: Bielmann/SPL

Matt 'Wilko" Wilkinson takes to the air at Teahupo‘o. It wasn't enough to beat Fred Patacchia, however, and Wilko will be surfing against Kekoa Bacalso in round two. Photo: Bielmann/SPL

Dane Reynolds just before he racked up the highest heat total of the event so far in a win a over fellow Californian Timmy Reyes. Photo: Bielmann/SPL

In one of the biggest upsets of the day, two-time Billabong Pro Tahiti Champion Bobby Martinez was knocked out of the event by Brazilian Marco Polo. Photo: Bielmann/SPL

Mick Fanning and Tiago Pires get all jacked up before their respectiv round one heats. Photo: Bielmann/SPL

Air Andy at Teahupo‘o. The three-time World Champ put up a fight against Kelly Slater but came up just short against his longtime rival. Photo: Bielmann/SPL

9-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater had been hiding out 20 minutes up the road from Teahupo‘o until the event kicked off. Judging from his performance though, he'd been surfing somewhere... Photo: Bielmann/SPL

Michel Bourez with a clean tube ride that ensured his win over Dean Morrison and Mick Campbell. Photo: Bielmann/SPL

C'est La Vie in Tahiti... Photo: Bielmann/SPL

A few of the local boys get a front row seat on the reef at Teahupo‘o to cheer on Tahitian wildcard Tamaroa McComb. Photo: Bielmann/SPL

Tanner Gudauskas fell victim to Freddy P's vicious attack and was regulated to round two which is running today. Photo: Bielmann/SPL

The scaffolding at the Billabong Pro Tahiti is ground zero for the live Web cast—and one of the few places to escape the brutal tropical sun in Tahiti. Photo: Bielmann/SPL